Bangkok: The new facilitation law has passed parliament, making it easier for citizens to apply for permits. The law on facilitating business operations has received parliamentary approval, paving the way for simplified application processes for citizens, reducing the need for duplicate document submissions, and promoting the Super License system to enhance procedures and lower business costs.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, disclosed that the government, under Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul's leadership, is advancing a policy to refine laws and regulations. This initiative aims to facilitate citizens and businesses in accessing services and obtaining permits from government agencies. A key component of this improvement is the new Act on Facilitating the Consideration of Permits and Services to the Public.
The House of Representatives has recently sanctioned the draft law, which has already undergone amendments by the Senate. The subsequent steps involve submitting it to His Majesty the King for royal assent and promulgation. This law is crucial for alleviating the challenges of engaging with government agencies and enhancing the speed, transparency, and accountability of public services.
Ms. Ratchada highlighted that this law aligns with the government's policy on expedited government services and legal reform. It aims to provide citizens and businesses with clear information on procedures, timelines, documents, and fees for government services. Government agencies are required to minimize duplicate document requests; if the information is already available to the government or accessible through a central system, citizens should not be burdened with resubmission. Notably, the law also introduces the Super License system for businesses needing permits from multiple agencies. Once a Super License is obtained, it holds the equivalency of acquiring various secondary licenses under specified conditions, thus reducing the requirement for businesses to process documents through multiple channels and agencies. Additionally, it sets up a central application center to receive applications and forward them to the relevant agencies using an information technology system.
Ms. Ratchada stated that this initiative is part of a broader plan to reform the bureaucratic system to support real business operations, reduce costs, decrease waiting times, and minimize unnecessary discretionary decisions. This is vital for elevating public sector standards and supporting the objective of OECD membership.
Furthermore, the government is progressing with laws and systems to interconnect government data concurrently. On May 5, 2026, the Cabinet approved a draft royal decree on the disclosure of personal information between government agencies. This aims to facilitate efficient data sharing among government agencies, enhance service quality, reduce duplicate document requests, and enable more accurate auditing by agencies. The government is not modifying laws in isolation but is systematically revising interconnected laws to streamline government operations, facilitate public interaction, and accelerate business operations, directly impacting the economy, investment, and employment for the people.